India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in defense, space, and clean energy during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC. The discussions marked a significant diplomatic engagement, following the recent G-20 Summit in New Delhi.
In a tweet, Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at meeting Secretary Blinken, highlighting the wide-ranging discussion that followed up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June visit. The diplomats covered various global developments and set the groundwork for an upcoming 2+2 meeting, PTI reported.
The talks between the two leaders covered a spectrum of issues, including the outcomes of India's G20 presidency and the creation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Both emphasized the importance of continued cooperation, especially in defense, space, and clean energy, leading up to the upcoming 2+2 Dialogue.
The fifth edition of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is set to take place in New Delhi, with Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh leading the Indian delegation and Blinken alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin representing the United States.
Despite a simmering diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani separatist, the two nations refrained from commenting on the implications during the meetings. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged Indian government involvement, a claim India dismissed as "absurd" and "motivated."
Secretary Blinken avoided addressing reporters' questions on the diplomatic row and welcomed Jaishankar in a positive manner at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
Jaishankar also highlighted discussions on critical and emerging technology and resilient supply chains in a social media post. He expressed optimism about India being a major talking point in corporate boardrooms, emphasizing the growing possibilities of collaboration.
The meetings in Washington included discussions on the positive momentum in the U.S.-India trade relationship. Jaishankar met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to explore opportunities for collaboration on World Trade Organization (WTO) reform and IPEF negotiations.
The engagements in Washington come after Jaishankar's address to the 78th General Assembly session of the United Nations, where he recognized the progress in the bilateral relationship and discussed its further advancement.
As the visit continues, Jaishankar is scheduled to speak on 'India’s Role in the World Today' at the prestigious Hudson Institute think-tank, underscoring India's evolving global role and ongoing transformations worldwide.
